Lady Hutton is a formerluxury yacht built in 1924 atFriedrich Krupp Germaniawerft inKiel, Germany. She has now been converted to a hotel and restaurant ship, riding at anchor at theRiddarholmen inStockholm since 1982.[1] In addition to its size and proximity to the old city, much of the ship’s fame is tied toBarbara Hutton, for whom the ship is named.
Originally namedVanadis, the diesel-driven 240 ft (73 m)motor yacht was built in 1924 forC. K. G. Billings,[2] his second yacht by that name.[1] "The largest of its day,"[3] she is steel-and-nickel hulled and was opulently outfitted.
Vanadis was purchased by stock tycoonHarrison Williams, renamedWarrior, and steamed on a year-long around-the-world 1926 honeymoon cruise taken with his wife, Mona.
Woolworth heiressBarbara Hutton received the vessel in 1930 as a present from her father on her 18th birthday.[A] The yacht was renamed in Hutton's honor, and she wasVanadis's most celebrated owner.[2][4][B]
In 1940, the yacht was sold to the BritishRoyal Navy. After theSecond World War, it was stationed inPanama and also used as a schoolship inNorway from 1948. At the start of the 1950s it was renamedCort Adeles at Stadsgårdskajen, Sweden. The vessel was also used as a regular passenger ship to and fromTurku,Finland.[1]
The yacht was later slated for scrap, but was purchased by a group of Swedish businessmen who spent more than $2.5 million to renovate her into a permanently moored, floating hotel and restaurant.[2]
Begun in 1980, the renovation as a hotel for business travelers and a restaurant ship was completed in 1982. Most of the rooms or cabins are comparatively small. The vessel includes meeting facilities for up to 20 people and aFinnish sauna.[3][2] The yacht is registered as theLady Hutton, and this name appears on thestern, but the hotel's name on theprow isMälardrottningen (the Queen ofLake Mälar).[3][2]
Since September 1982, the yacht has been docked at Riddarholmen in Stockholm. It is owned by the family company Mälardrottningen Holding AB;[6]Mälardrottningen has been a nickname for the city of Stockholm since the end of the 1800s.[7]
The lounge is glass-floored, so that the guests can view theengine room below.[3] The Captain's Lounge has the best view, overlooking city hall. The 59 eccentric rooms are generally described as "tiny." On the other hand, one writer notes that parents traveling with their children will probably opt for separate rooms for their offspring, as sleeping in a floating palace is proffered as a unique way to calm them down.[3]
Meals are said to be relatively expensive at the gourmet restaurant.[3][2]
Before the yacht had its current name, its name was changed ten times:[8][9]
59°19′26″N18°03′46″E / 59.3240°N 18.0627°E /59.3240; 18.0627
